‘With Grace Mental Health Counseling’ Wants To Remove Stigma Of Seeking Such Services

Finding Safety In Whole Life Insurance

BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC

Amid recent news about prominent banks failing, inflation and increased market volatility, many Americans are fi nding refuge in whole life insurance.

To be clear, whole life insurance is NOT an investment. It is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for the entirety of one’s life, as opposed to term life insurance which only covers a specific period of time. While whole life insurance offers several benefits, one of the most important considerations for many people is the safety of the policy.

What is whole life insurance? It is a type of permanent life insurance that provides coverage for the entirety of one’s life. Unlike term life insurance, which only provides coverage for a specific period of time, whole life insurance does not expire as long as premiums are paid. In addition to providing a death benefit, whole life insurance policies also build cash value over time, which can be borrowed against or used to pay premiums.

BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL

With Grace Mental Health Counseling PLLC has been growing and operating at capacity at their Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park locations since 2018. The business recently opened a third location in Queensbury, increasing access to quality mental health care in the North Country.

“We consistently heard feedback that the community in and around Queensbury would benefit from more providers to support the expansion of the area,” said Nicole Edwards, LMHC, who is co-founder and co-owner with Diane Webb, LMHC.

Edwards specializes in couples and family counseling and Webb in trauma, “which is why we are well-matched. We do different things and have a well-rounded staff of therapists,” she said.

All three locations are purposefully located close to clinics, and the Queensbury location at Fowler Square is across the street from Adirondack Community College.

“We are easy to find at 719 Bay Road,” she said. “Students can walk over to Suite 2101 and receive services.”

When Edwards and Webb were solo practitioners, they had waiting lists a year and a half long, according to Edwards. Joining forces allowed them to open a large practice and hire more therapists.

They want to help remove the stigma attached to people seeking mental health services.

“It doesn’t work to create shame around mental health services,” she said. “It means people haven’t been getting needed treatment. Counseling is a necessary part of life, and fortunately the shame associated with it is now diminishing,” Edwards said.

The pandemic, isolation and the societal changes that have driven many to counseling, according to Edwards.

“The unique pressures of our time create significant stress that may make us susceptible to anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges,” she said. “COVID put a spotlight on couples, leading to separations among many adults because there was nowhere to hide. In other relationships, fewer face-to-face interactions and remote conversations often led to lack of depth and fulfillment in those relationships.”

“For our young people, it is particularly hard to be a teen today because of isolation,” she said. “And social media is causing them to make unhealthy comparisons with one another as teens try to put their best face forward. Also for children, the lack of structure and isolation caused by the pandemic in such formative years is something that we are still seeing families work- ing through.”

COVID also forced the entire practice to be “more flexible and adaptable,” and Edwards said they “had to turn the business from full-time in person to completely virtual overnight.”

“Thanks to secure online platforms, we are able to continue to provide traditional in-person therapy while offering cutting edge on-line therapy for those that benefit from that modality,” she said.

Edwards and Webb oversee and split their time among all three locations. There have been four new hires in Queensbury, three relocated from other offices. The space could accommodate as many as 10 professional staff.

A second goal when designing the Queensbury space was to create “a healthy workplace environment that promotes work/life balance.” Edwards said With Grace is a practice “where therapists can put their families first, so our focus is on putting staff first while supporting them in their growth and passions in the field.”

The partners thus encourage the counsellors to select a specialty, choose the amount of time they want to work, and “essentially build their own salary. Therapists today really are overworked and underpaid,” she said. “We are putting a lot of energy into creating a stress-free, supportive and positive environment.”

“We believe that investing in our employees will lead to the best possible treatment for clients,” Edwards said.

The partners chose a suite that allowed new construction so that they could design it for the needs of their business and their patients, such as soundproofing. Edwards said it is “set up more like a spa than a clinic,” which helps the practice “stand out. This gives patients a more profound sense of a place for healing and where they can feel their worth when they enter our space.”

The scope of professional services at With Grace Mental Health Counseling includes couples therapy, family therapy, trauma, teen specialties, maternal mental health, grief and bereavement, addiction, co-parenting, and more for the unique needs of clients.

Edwards said that everything she does is driven by her faith, which is why she and Webb named their business “With Grace.”

“The meaning of that word, Grace, is what we work very hard to extend and to teach,” she said.

“We are all mental health counselors from different faiths and backgrounds.”

Learn more about the locations and services that With Grace Mental Health Counseling, PLLC has to offer at the website www.withgracemhc.com.

One of the main benefits of whole life insurance is its safety. Unlike other types of investments, such as stocks or mutual funds, whole life insurance policies are not subject to market fluctuations. Th is means that the cash value of the policy is guaranteed to increase over time, regardless of economic conditions. In addition, whole life insurance policies are backed by the fi nancial strength of the insurance company, which provides an additional layer of safety.

When you purchase a whole life insurance policy, you are essentially entering into a contract with the insurance company. The insurance company agrees to pay a death benefit to your beneficiaries in exchange for the payment of premiums.

In addition, the insurance company guarantees that the cash value of the policy will increase over time, regardless of market conditions. Th is means that even if the stock market crashes or the economy takes a downturn, your whole life insurance policy will continue to provide coverage and build cash value.

In addition to the safety of whole life insurance policies, there are several other benefits to consider. For example, whole life insurance policies offer a fi xed premium, which means that the cost of the policy will not increase over time. Th is can be especially beneficial for individuals who are looking for long-term fi nancial stability and want to avoid the risk of rising premiums.

Another benefit of whole life insurance policies is that they can be used as a source of cash in times of need. Because the policies build cash value over time, policyholders can borrow against the cash value or even surrender the policy for its cash value if needed. Th is can be a valuable source of emergency funds or can be used to pay for other expenses, such as supplementing retirement income, college tuition or a down payment on a house.

Finally, whole life insurance policies provide peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of in the event of your death. The death benefit can be used to pay for funeral expenses, outstanding debts, provide fi nancial support for your family, and transfer wealth in an efficient means. Life Insurance death benefit proceeds are generally income tax free.

While whole life insurance policies offer a number of benefits, it is important to choose the right policy to meet your individual needs. When choosing a whole life insurance policy, there are several factors to consider, including:

The death benefit should be sufficient to provide for your loved ones in the event of your death.

The premium cost should be affordable and fit within your budget.

The cash value of the policy should grow at a rate that meets your long-term fi nancial goals.

The insurance company should have a strong fi nancial rating and a good reputation for paying claims.

As far as additional benefits, some whole life insurance policies offer additional benefits, such as long-term care coverage or accelerated death benefits. Consider whether these benefits are important to you.

Whole life insurance can offer you and your family guaranteed premiums and death benefits, competitive tax-deferred growth in cash values and tax-efficient way to transfer wealth to the next generation. Whole life is not right for everyone and it’s important you consult with your fi nancial advisor and/or CPA to determine whether a policy makes sense for you.

Millennial Medical Imaging Will Donate $337,500 To Saratoga Hospital Over 5 Years

Ascent Fabrication

Continued From Page 1

Fairley returned to Sampson in Schenectady to complete his orthotics residency, and while there, he focused heavily on 3D printing—technology that he had introduced to Sampson during the time he worked for the company as a technician.

“As we started to ramp up the 3D side of the business, we were getting requests from all over the country to teach other clinics how to 3D print and do CAD design,” he said. “We also started printing 3D devices for other clinics across the U.S.”

The process of creating a prosthetic or orthotic using a 3D printer begins with a 3D scan of a patient’s limb. The scan is then uploaded into CAD modification software where it can be clinically manipulated. After necessary modifications are made, the 3D printer is used to create the device.

In April 2021, Fairley established his own company, Ascent Fabrication, in order to focus on 3D printing of prosthetics and orthotics.

“I decided to go off on my own to better prepare the field as a whole to give them the educational tools they need to be able to implement 3D printing effectively in their clinic,” he said. “We provide a lot of onsite, in-house training, and I’ve flown out to six different clinics in the last eight months to teach them the exact process from start to finish. We also do a lot of virtual training and support.” vice to 3D print and ship out to them,” said Fairley. Ascent Fabrication has grown exponentially over the past two years and is now headquartered at 480 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

As its name implies, fabrication is at the core of Ascent Fabrication’s day-to-day operations.

Ascent’s staff includes a 3D print technician as well as several contracted CAD designers. Fairley recently took on a partner in the San Francisco Bay area in order to expand the company’s printing capacities and reduce turnaround times and shipping costs.

According to Fairley, 3D printing is currently being utilized to create approximately 30 percent of prosthetic devices in the United States. He predicts this number will continue to grow.

“There will always be a reason to use some traditional techniques with hand casting on some of the more intimate parts of the body. But, I do think 3D printing is going to be the majority of how devices are made simply due to the increased efficiency and decreased cost of how we are providing these devices.”

In addition to offering fabrication of prosthetic and orthotic devices, Ascent Fabrication resells 3D printing filament plans. The company plans to begin its 3D printer leasing program in the near future. Ascent also partners with other companies to provide CAD design and 3D printing for applications outside of the prosthetics field.

As an example, Fairley said they are working with a local pool company to print 3D models of the different pools that the company offers.

Millennium Medical Imaging will continue its longstanding philanthropic support of Saratoga Hospital by donating $337,500 over the next five years.

The radiology practice has provided medical imaging services at Saratoga Hospital locations since 2000 and has contributed over $1 million to support hospital programs and fundraising efforts.

“We couldn’t ask for a better partner,” said Richard Falivena, DO, vice president and chief medical and physician integration officer at Saratoga Hospital. “Clinically, they are among the best in the region. Philanthropically, they set an example for others to follow.”

Millennium’s latest pledge includes $250,000 for advanced imaging equipment. The remaining $87,500 will provide five years of sponsorship support for Saratoga Hospital’s three annual fundraising events: the Cantina Kids Fun Run, the Gala, and the Golf Invitational.

The Fun Run supports children’s health care services, the gala benefits the hospital’s Saratoga Community Health Center, and the Golf Invitational supports the hospital’s nursing scholarship program.

For Millennium, philanthropic support is another way to serve Saratoga Hospital, its patients, and the community that is home to many members of the medical imaging practice.

“We see, firsthand, what Saratoga Hospital means to this community,” said Dr. David Strauss, president of Millennium and co-chair of Saratoga Hospital’s Radiology Department.

“We take great pride in being part of this hospital—in providing the high-quality care the region deserves and in helping Saratoga Hospital continue to grow and thrive.”

To date, the foundation has raised more than $75 million for Saratoga Hospital. For more information, visit www.SaratogaHospitalFoundation.org.

“People can go on my web site and upload a 3D scan, and we can design a prosthetic or orthotic de-

Medicare Agent

Continued From Page 10 service, he said.

“All companies have to put their best foot forward,” he said. “If they don’t, we won’t sign them up. Th is is a very competitive product. That means every year the features get a little better and the costs get a little lower.”

Open enrollment last year was seven weeks long. As plan changes were announced, Finnegan said he was able to look at all his client accounts to assess whether they were covered the best way, or if another plan would suit them better.

“I met with 120 clients in those seven weeks,” he said. “If you sit down together and explain the benefits, the worst thing is that you might fi nd the client is in the right place. Insurance

Breastfeeding Savvy

Continued From Page 10 ing journey, and I can now support our patients more optimally,” she said.

While Nemeth sees some women before their babies are born and helps prepare them (physically and emotionally) for nursing, most come for an initial consultation only after the baby is born. Typically, Nemeth said, those consultations last between two and two and a half hour.

“I help the moms determine what’s normal and what’s not normal,” she said. A major aim is to help the mother get—and remain—pain free. The baby is weighed before and after a feeding to be sure she or he is getting enough milk. Subsequent consultations are shorter, usually one to two hours.

Breastfeeding Savvy is in the networks of major health insurers and Nemeth is working on establishing affi liations with the others.

“We can do practically anything marketing related,” said Fairley. “We can also do any kind of reverse engineering for any hard to find parts. We can really print just about anything.” companies pay me to help people, so why not get the best health insurance option for them.”

The business website is www.ascentfab.com.

Finnegan gets new clients through referrals, search engine optimization on the web, and workshops or individual meetings with clients of fi nancial advisors. The aging population on Medicare is growing and his office is expanding quickly. After three years in the business, he has “a stack of resumés” on his desk to look over, he said.

“More people are turning 65 and need help, so I am willing to train agents once they are tested and licensed,” he said. His hiring requirements are “honest people who are willing to answer their phone.”

“I love this job and I work a lot, but it doesn’t seem like it sometimes,” he said. “If you go above and beyond for your clients, they will stick with you.”

Learn more at www.saratogamedicare.com.

For mothers covered by those insurers, care is free. For others, Nemeth provides detailed receipts that can be used to get reimbursement from their insurers. For self-paying clients, the initial consultations costs $250 and follow-up consultations are $150. But, Nemeth said, “I would never turn a mother down.”

While there are no immediate plans to expand the business, Nemeth noted that “a lot of consultants are knocking on our doors to join our team.” She estimates that she could expand to 10 qualified consultants within a month. She plans to grow the business as the number of clients justifies it.

Nemeth and her colleagues are still sensitive to protocols to reduce COVID exposure.

“We try to be extra cautious,” she said, “to protect the little ones.” Staff members still wear masks although they are optional for clients. Hand sanitizers are everywhere, she added.

Further information is on the company’s webpage, www.breastfeedingsavvy.com or by telephone at 518-344-6377.